The language curriculum is structured into a modular system which offers students the possibility to follow a specific learning path based on their entry level to help them achieve their target level in each of the three languages of instruction.
With this guide, we would like to inform you about the university's language model and guide you on your next steps, so that you can gradually acquire the language skills required during your studies and be ready for trilingual study.
As you know, trilingualism in teaching and research is the defining feature of unibz; lectures and university life in general are conducted in three languages: Italian, German and English.
In order to be admitted to your Bachelor's degree course, you have met the entry language requirements, i.e. you have demonstrated that you can use at least two of the three official teaching languages at B2 level*.
Although not required for admission purposes, the third language is equally important during your studies.
The degree course in which you are enrolled includes language levels in the third language which must be achieved during your studies (e.g. B1 level) in order to register for the examinations of curricular courses taught in that language.
In addition, there are exit language requirements: in order to graduate, you will need to certify two languages at the C1 level* and the third language at the B2 level.
To help you keep up with your language requirements and successfully achieve your goals, we have developed 4 targeted language learning paths that include a series of intensive courses (during the breaks before, between, and after the semesters) and extensive courses during semesters. These courses are organized into a modular system. All language courses are offered completely free of charge.
We strongly recommend that you attend the language courses offered by the Language Centre. Our experience and data demonstrate that it is very difficult to reach the required language levels without completing your learning path. Please do not underestimate the importance of formal learning!
If you enroll in a language course, this implies a commitment to regularly attend and actively participate in that course.
If you attend at least 75% of the lessons, then you should be ready to take the end-of-course test, which allows you to access the next module in your learning path.
Keep in mind that:
Language learning takes time and perseverance and is a gradual and highly complex process.
Language courses are essential if you want to improve your language skills, especially formal writing and speaking skills
However, it is essential to take advantage of all possibilities to engage and practice the target language outside of formal instruction. Try to make the target language part of your daily life and "communicate" as much as you possibly can in that language!
But do not neglect your formal learning! Depending on your entry level in the third language, you should follow one of the learning paths listed below to reach your target level in the shortest time possible.
If your third language is below the B2 level at matriculation, you should first focus on achieving B2 in this language. Once you have achieved B2 in your third language, you can concentrate on acquiring C1 skills in your second language, if you have not already certified this exit requirement.
In order to find your optimal learning path and plan your learning, first select your starting level in the third language below and follow the link to the information about your language learning path. If you follow these recommendations you are well on your way to successful study at unibz!
*Exception: Bachelor in Mountain Food Science and Bachelor in Electronics and Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering require a B1 level in the second language on entry and a B2 level on exit.
If you have a B1 level in your second language, you will have to follow a language learning path to reach B2 in the same way as for your third language. In this case, we suggest that you contact the Language Centre for individual advising.
As your goal is to reach a B1 level in the shortest time possible, the language learning path you will have to undertake is as follows:
The courses must be taken sequentially (e.g. you will not be able to take A2.2-B1.1a unless you have successfully completed A2.1), bearing in mind that each module is only offered in the periods indicated above (A2.1, for example, is ONLY offered in the first semester as an extensive course).
Module B1.2b concludes the learning path towards B1. The final learning hours of this module are dedicated to preparation for the internal language exam that will allow you to certify your B1 level.
You should be ready to take the B1 level exam at the end of July/beginning of August (at the end of the intensive language courses in July).
If you do not pass the B1 level exam, you will have the opportunity to attend the "B1 round up" intensive course in September, which will enable you to revise and consolidate the topics and the linguistic and communicative structures related to the B1 level. At the end of September/beginning of October you can take the B1 level exam again.
N.B. Taking part in a language course and passing the relevant end-of-course test doesn’t mean that you have certified your level. To certify your language proficiency, you must either take a language proficiency exam at the Language Centre or submit a language certificate recognised by unibz.
We would like to remind you that if you start your path in the third language course as an absolute beginner, you will have to start with the intensive courses in September!
Your goal is now to continue studying the third language to bring it up to a B2 level (exit level), so your language learning path will continue as follows:
Module B2.2b concludes the learning path towards B2. The final learning hours of this module are dedicated to preparation for the internal language exam that will allow you to certify your level B2.
You should be ready to take the B2 level exam in early June session (at the end of the extensive language courses of the 2nd semester).
If you do not pass the language exam, you can take it again at the end of July.
Once you have completed your path in the third language and obtained the required B2 certification (exit level), you are invited to continue progressing toward the C1 level by continuing with the C1 level courses. This is, of course, not required but is highly encouraged.
If you do not have a C1 certificate for your second language (exit requirement) yet, you can attend an intensive C1.1-C1.2 course in September and continue with C1.3 (final C1 module focusing on productive skills - written and oral production) in in the first semester (extensive course). At the end of module C1.3, you should be ready to sit the internal C1 exam during a scheduled exam session.
If you do not have a C1, but a B2 level in your first language, we recommend that you contact the Language Centre for individual advising to set up a personalised learning plan.
As your goal is to reach a B1 level in the shortest time possible, the language learning path you will have to undertake is as follows:
The courses must be taken sequentially (e.g. you will not be able to attend a B1.1a course until you have successfully completed course A2.1-A2.2), bearing in mind that each single module is only offered in the periods indicated above.
Module B1.2b concludes the learning path towards B1. The final learning hours of this module are dedicated to preparation for the internal language exam that will allow you to certify your B1 level.
You should be ready to take the B1 level exam at the beginning of June (at the end of the extensive language courses in the 2nd semester).
If you do not pass the B1 level exam, you will have the opportunity to attend the "B1 round up" intensive course in July, which will enable you to revise and consolidate the topics and the linguistic and communicative structures related to the B1 level. At the end of July you can take the B1 level exam again.
N.B. Taking part in a language course and passing the relevant end-of-course test doesn’t mean that you have certified your level. To certify your language proficiency, you must either take a language proficiency exam at the Language Centre or submit a language certificate recognised by unibz.
Your goal is now to continue studying the third language to bring it up to a B2 level (exit level), so your language learning path will continue as follows:
Module B2.2b concludes the learning path towards B2. The final learning hours of this module are dedicated to preparation for the internal language exam that will allow you to certify your B2 level.
You should be ready to take the B2 level exam at the end of February (at the end of the February intensive language courses).
If you do not pass the language exam, you can take it again in early June session.
Once you have completed your path in the third language and obtained the required B2 certification (exit level), you are invited to continue progressing toward the C1 level by continuing with the C1 level courses. This is, of course, not required but is highly encouraged.
If you do not have a C1 certificate for your second language (exit requirement) yet, you can attend an extensive C1.1 course in the 1st semester of the 2nd year and continue with the intensive C1.2-C1.3 in February or July. Alternatively, you can attend an intensive C1.1-C1.2 course in September and then continue with the extensive C1.3 course (final C1 module focusing on productive skills - written and oral production) in the 1st semester of the 2nd year. At the end of module C1.3, you should be ready to sit the internal C1 exam during a scheduled exam session.
If you do not have a C1, but a B2 level in your first language, we recommend that you contact the Language Centre for individual advising to set up a personalised learning plan.
As your goal is to reach a B1 level in the shortest time possible, the language learning path you will have to undertake is as follows:
The courses must be taken sequentially (e.g. you will not be able to attend course B1.2b unless you have successfully completed course B1.2a first), bearing in mind that each single module is only offered in the periods indicated above.
Module B1.2b concludes the learning path towards B1. The final learning hours of this module are dedicated to preparation for the internal language exam that will allow you to certify your B1 level.
You should be ready to take the B1 level exam at the beginning of January (at the end of the extensive language courses in the first semester).
If you do not pass the B1 level exam, you will have the opportunity to attend the "B1 round up" intensive course in February, which will enable you to revise and consolidate the topics and the linguistic and communicative structures related to the B1 level. At the end of February you can take the B1 level exam again.
N.B. Taking part in a language course and passing the relevant end-of-course test doesn’t mean that you have certified your level. To certify your language proficiency, you must either take a language proficiency exam at the Language Centre or submit a language certificate recognised by unibz.
Your goal is now to continue studying the third language to bring it up to a B2 level (exit level), so your language learning path will continue as follows:
Module B2.2b concludes the learning path towards B2. The final learning hours of this module are dedicated to preparation for the internal language exam that will allow you to certify your B2 level.
You should be ready to take the B2 level exam at the end of September/beginning of October (at the end of the intensive language courses in September).
If you do not pass the language exam, you can take it again in January.
Once you have completed your path in the third language and obtained the required B2 certification (exit level), you are invited to continue progressing toward the C1 level by continuing with the C1 level courses. This is, of course, not required but is highly encouraged.
If you do not have a C1 certificate for your second language (exit requirement) yet, you can attend an extensive C1.1 course in the 1st semester of the 2nd year and continue with the intensive C1.2-C1.3 in February or July. Alternatively, you can attend an intensive C1.1-C1.2 course in September and then continue with the extensive C1.3 course (final C1 module focusing on productive skills - written and oral production) in the 1st semester of the 2nd year. At the end of module C1.3, you should be ready to sit the internal C1 exam during a scheduled exam session.
If you do not have a C1, but a B2 level in your first language, we recommend that you contact the Language Centre for individual advising to set up a personalised learning plan.
If you do not have a certified level in your third language but based on a placement test you have been oriented towards a B2 level course, we recommend that you take the B1 language exam as early as the end of September/beginning of October.
Since your goal is to reach a B2 level by graduation, the language learning path you will have to undertake is as follows:
Module B2.2b concludes the learning path towards B2. The final learning hours of this module are dedicated to preparation for the internal language exam that will allow you to certify your B2 level.
You should be ready to take the B2 exam at the end of February (at the end of the intensive language courses in February). If you do not pass the language exam, you can take it again at the beginning of June.
N.B. Taking part in a language course and passing the relevant end-of-course test doesn’t mean that you have certified your level. To certify your language proficiency, you must either take a language proficiency exam at the Language Centre or submit a language certificate recognised by unibz.
Once you have completed your path in the third language and obtained the required B2 certification (exit level), you are invited to continue progressing toward the C1 level by continuing with the C1 level courses. This is, of course, not required but is highly encouraged.
If you do not have a C1 certificate for your second language (exit requirement) yet, you can attend an extensive C1.1 course in the 2nd semester or in the 1st semester of the 2nd year and continue with the intensive C1.2-C1.3 in February or July. Alternatively, you can attend an intensive C1.1-C1.2 course in September and then continue with the extensive C1.3 course (final C1 module focusing on productive skills - written and oral production) in the 1st semester of the 2nd year. At the end of module C1.3, you should be ready to sit the internal C1 exam during a scheduled exam session.
If you do not have a C1, but a B2 level in your first language, we recommend that you contact the Language Centre for individual advising to set up a personalised learning plan.
Since you have already certified the B2 level in your third language before commencing your studies, you have a lot of flexibility in your learning path!
In your case, you there is no need to attend language courses for your third language.
However, you are invited to continue progressing toward the C1 level by continuing with the C1 level courses. This is, of course, not required but is highly encouraged.
If you have not achieved a C1 level in your second language, but met the minimum entry requirement of B2, you will have to decide which of your two additional languages you want to improve to the C1 level (exit requirement for two of the three teaching languages). To do this, you can take an extensive C1.1 course in the first or second semester of your first or second year, followed by an intensive C1.2-C1.3 course in February or July. Alternatively, you may choose to take an intensive course comprising both modules C1.1-C1.2 in September (2nd year), followed by module C1.3 (as an extensive course) in the first semester. At the end of module C1.3, you should be ready to sit the internal C1 level exam during one of the language exam sessions scheduled during the academic year.
If you also have a B2 level in your first language (that is, if you were admitted to unibz with three languages at the B2 level), you will have to achieve a C1 in both your first and your second language and should therefore attend C1 courses for both languages.
You can certify your language skills either through an international language certificate recognised by unibz, or by taking the Language Centre's internal language proficiency exams.
If you obtain an international language certificate, you can upload it to mySNS, which you will have access to after enrolment in your degree course.
If you would like to certify your language skills (level B1, B2 or C1) through a Language Centre exam, you must register for the exam via mySNS during the registration periods indicated in the Study Guide (Study Guide > Languages> Language Exams). You will always receive a reminder when it comes time to register for a language exam so that you don’t miss the deadlines.
The Language Centre's language proficiency exams are offered five times per year, at the end of each session of language courses:
The exams are conducted according to standardized criteria and in accordance with the specifications of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and thus test the four language skills:
The exams are conducted according to standardized criteria and in accordance with the specifications of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and thus test the four language skills: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written production and oral production.
The language exams consist of three modules:
You do not pass an unibz language proficiency exam until you have passed all three modules. If you do not pass module I, you cannot take modules II and III and you must repeat the entire exam.
Passing module I entitles you to take module II and module III of the language exam. Once you have passed a module, each passing result will remain valid for 18 months from the date of passing the first module. Else the modules passed lose their validity and the entire exam must be repeated. There are five exam sessions in an academic year, but you can take the same module (for a given language and level) a maximum of three times in an academic year. (Applies to students enrolled as from A. Y. 2021/22).
See the Study Guide for more information on language exams and the test structure.
At the end of your language learning path towards B1, B2, C1 levels (i.e. at the end of modules B1.2b, B2.2b and C1.3) you should have acquired the language skills to take the full language exams to certify these levels. We strongly recommend that you only take a language exam after you have completed the language learning path for a given level.